DES MOINES – On Aug 30th, Newton Clinic and MercyOne Newton Medical Center announced they will pause hiring physicians who are dedicated to obstetrics and labor and delivery services.

This is devastating news to Iowa women and families, who are having an increasingly hard time finding obstetric care. According to the University of Iowa, 31 counties have closed their obstetric services since 2000. By 2020, only 46 of the state’s 99 counties had at least one hospital that provided obstetric services, down from 77 counties in years prior.

Earlier this summer, MercyOne ended its gynecologic oncology surgical services, leaving the Iowa Clinic as the only specialty care center in Central Iowa.

“While we need more answers as to why this pause in hiring for obstetrics and labor and delivery services is taking place in Newton, these potential cuts are a concerning trend for Iowa women and families,” said IDP Chair Rita Hart. “What we do know is that Republicans passed a draconian six-week abortion ban that criminalizes abortion in our state. That ban makes it difficult for doctors to provide women with necessary medical care. These extreme laws are not attracting younger families to Iowa and are hurting the economies of our small towns.” 

Data show medical residents are starting to avoid states like Iowa that have implemented abortion bans.

The state of Arkansas, which has also implemented extreme abortion laws, has seen a similar decrease in labor and delivery services. According to the Washington Post, the number of facilities in Arkansas delivering babies has dropped from 39 in 2020 to 35 today. On Aug 30th, nearly half of the state’s counties are lacking birthing centers.